Sony is introducing the latest member of its HDC family of 4K live camera systems. HDC-5500 is a new multi-format live camera capable of direct 4K signal output in 12G-SDI, carrying the world’s first 2/3-inch 4K global shutter three CMOS sensors that ensure superb image quality in HD, 4K and HDR live production. Optional software achieving high frame rate up to 4K 2x and HD 8x1 will be available.

Atomos Shinobi SDI is a lightweight HDR field monitor for the video professional who needs the flexibility of both HDMI and SDI camera connectivity. Connect 4K HDMI for HDR viewing or SDI for HD-SDI loop out. Run cables between Shinobi SDIs up to 100m without degradation of image allowing directors, crew and clients to see what the camera operator is seeing in stunning detail. Shinobi SDI's high brightness 1000nit 5-inch monitor lets crew members preview and see images exactly as intended in any lighting condition, in SDR or HDR. Shinobi SDI is the ultimate monitoring tool in your video production arsenal that won’t break the bank. Product Features of the Atomos Shinobi 5” SuperAtom IPS LCD • Stunning 1000nit calibrated anti-reflection, anti-fingerprint AtomHDR screen for clear daylight viewing with 10+ stops dynamic range • Punch in zoom with 4:1, 2:1 & 1:1 • 1000Nits / cdm2 HDR / Daylight viewable • 427 PPI - even higher than Apple's Retina Display • Calibrated out of the box with support with Xrite Calibration • 10bit Inputs and Image processing • 100% of Rec709 calibratable display Inputs • 1.4b HDMI input • 1 x HD-SDI 1 3G/1.5G • Loop multiple Shinobi SDIs from HD SDI out to SDI devices like camcorders, switches and control rooms. On camera monitor for Photo and Video • Run for 5 hrs on a 5700mAh battery • AtomOS 10 – intuitive controls system • AtomHDR for log to HDR processing • 3D LUTs for customer creative LOOKs Download Full Spec Sheet HereAtomos-ShinobiSDI_Infosheet-March2019 To view pricing information or to put in your pre-order for this product click here to see the Atomos Shinobi in our online store

The global esports market is booming with revenue predicted to reach US$1.65 billion in 2020. One of the industry’s drivers in this country is Gfinity Esports Australia with their new Elite Series competition which is delivering gamers and fans a clear and structured competitive framework within Australian esports. A key requirement for the Elite Series competition was the creation of Australia’s first, dedicated Gfinity esports production studio which has been designed and built by Videocraft. The Elite Series presented by Alienware sees 6 city-based clubs competing weekly in front of a live audience at Gfinity’s state of the art esports arena within the Hoyts Cinema Complex at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter and it is here that Videocraft built the new production studio.Clubs compete across iconic game titles: Counter Strike Global Offensive, Street Fighter V and Rocket League, for a share in the some of the largest prize pools in Australian Esports history and each event is broadcast live on Twitch. COO of Gfinity Australia Sam Harris said, “Gfinity are setting the new benchmark for quality in esports in Australia. As such, we looked for experienced partners to help bring our vision to life. Videocraft played a pivotal role in the development of the high quality production capabilities for our first esports arena at the Hoyts Entertainment Quarter.” Videocraft’s Nick MacLean added, “Gfinity have produced esports events very successfully in the UK for years and set a very high standard for their productions. It was clear that all of our 45 years of broadcast experience would come into play for this project as the knowledge required to build the studio transfers perfectly into esports.”As well as creating and building a studio to create content for Twitch, Videocraft also had to send content, ready for playout, to TEN’s digital channel, One. MacLean continued, “For this studio we had to produce all the content to a much higher standard than for regular SD television which is usually 1080 50i. However, as the primary delivery and viewing platforms are online and in order to keep up with refresh rates, all of the content from the studio is 1080 60p.”

KONA HDMI, KONA 1 and Desktop Software v14.2

“Speed, compatibility and reliability are key to delivering high quality video I/O for our customers. KONA HDMI and KONA 1 give video professionals and enthusiasts new options to work more efficiently using their favorite tools, and with the reliability and support AJA products offer,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems.

New Solutions Supporting SMPTE ST 2110

[quote]“SMPTE ST 2110 is positioned to drive IP video adoption forward, and AJA is committed to delivering tools that help bridge IP with existing technologies,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “IPR-10G-HDMI and KONA IP, with SMPTE 2110 support, allow facilities to take advantage of the many benefits ST 2110 offers for uncompressed HD video and audio over IP, while getting the most out of the gear they already have in edit bays, OB trucks, control rooms and other environments.”[/quote]

• SMPTE ST 2110 audio, video receiver
• Rugged, fanless design
• 1x 10GigE SFP+ cage for media LAN [with status light]
• 1x 1GigE RJ45 socket for control LAN [with status light]
• Dedicated HDMI receiver with full size HDMI 1.4b video port
• Support for 1080p 60, YCbCr 4:2:2
• Full 10-bit pixel processing pipeline
• Embedded HDMI audio output (up to eight channels)
• 2x RCA analog audio output
• Mini-USB port for quick initial network configuration with AJA eMini-Setup software
• Complete control interface on any web browser from a built-in webserver
• Customizable control with AJA REST API
• 5-year international warranty and support

NEW KUMO 3232-12G and KUMO 1616-12G Routers

• 12G-SDI inputs and outputs for up to 4K/UltraHD support at 60p
• Small, portable 2RU (3232) and 1RU (1616) form factors
• Single cable support for streamlined 4K/UltraHD signal routing
• Redundant power supply option
• Configure and save up to eight salvos per router
• Auto re-clocking SDI rates: 270 Mbps /1.483/1.485/2.967/2.970/5.934/5.940/ 11.868/11.880 Gbps
• Support for AJA KUMO Control Panels (hardware, with direct connect or networked)
• USB port to easily configure the router IP address and simplify initial network configurations
• Embedded web server for remote control on any standard web browser
• 5-year warranty and support

“4K/UltraHD, HFR and deep color workflows have introduced new challenges for professionals and facilities by requiring more bandwidth, so we’ve expanded our line of KUMO routers to the latest 12G-SDI standard,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “KUMO 3232-12G and KUMO 1616-12G pack the throughput and single cable simplicity of 12G-SDI into a compact router with a very high-density for 4K/UltraHD sources and destinations.”

FS-HDR v2.5 Firmware Update

• Colorfront Engine support for ITU BT.2408-0 Operational Practices in HDR Television Production
• Simultaneous 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD/SD dual output mode: In single-channel mode with a 4K/UltraHD input and 4K/UltraHD output, configure the SDI monitor output for SDR/BT.709, PQ/BT.2020, HLG/BT.2020 or Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3, with these output formats and frame rates independent of the main output:
  • 2K: 2048 x 1080p up to 60p
  • HD: 1920 x 1080p up to 60p; 1920 x 1080PsF up to 30p; 1920x1080i 50 and 59.94; 1280x720p up to 60p
  • SD: 625i 50; 525i 59.94
• BBC HLG LUTs
  • Support for HLG HDR dynamic range mapping per ITU BT.2408-0
  • SDR, PQ, and Sony S-Log3 to HLG
  • HLG to SDR and PQ
  • Colorimetry: BT.709 and BT.2020
• HDMI HDR Infoframe generation: Locally monitor HDR content on HDMI 2.0 HDR televisions or monitors. When an output is configured for PQ or HLG, FS-HDR will signal the selected HDR output format to the HDMI display.
• HDR Test Patterns: BT.2111-0 Color Bars and BT.814-3 Pluge
• Support for third party Tangent Element Kb knob-based controller for remote parameter controls

• FIBERLC-1RX-12G SFP 12G-SDI Single Fiber LC Receiver Single Mode 1310nm
• FIBERLC-1TX-12G SFP 12G-SDI Single Fiber LC Transmitter Single Mode 1310nm

• FIBERLC-1RX-MM SFP Single Fiber LC Receiver Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-1TX-MM SFP Single Fiber LC Transmitter Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-2RX-MM SFP Dual Fiber LC Receiver Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-2TX-MM SFP Dual Fiber LC Transmitter Multi-Mode 850nm

AJA Adds Avid DNxHR Support to Ki Pro Ultra and Ki Pro Ultra Plus with v3.0 Firmware

• DNxHR HQX
• DNxHR SQ
• DNxHR LB

Five New openGear Cards with DashBoard Support

NEW HELO v2.1 Firmware

• Closed Captioning (CC) streaming from SDI input
• HLS streaming for direct interoperability with Apple® iPads® and other consumer devices
• Chinese, Japanese and Korean language support in HELO’s web UI

HDR IMAGE ANALYZER

• • Precise, high quality UltraHD UI for native-resolution picture display • Advanced out of gamut and out of brightness detection with error intolerance • Support for SDR (Rec.709), ST2084/PQ and HLG analysis • CIE graph, Vectorscope, Waveform, Histogram • Out of gamut false color mode to easily spot out of gamut/out of brightness pixels • Data analyzer with pixel picker • Up to 4K/UltraHD 60p over 4x 3G-SDI inputs • SDI auto signal detection • File base error logging with timecode • Display and color processing look up table (LUT) support • Line mode to focus a region of interest onto a single horizontal or vertical line • Loop through output to broadcast monitors • Still store • Nit levels and phase metering • Built-in support for color spaces from ARRI, Canon, Panasonic, RED and Sony

Canon launched of three new portable zoom 4K UHD broadcast lenses1: the CJ24ex7.5B, CJ18ex7.6B and CJ14ex4.3B. These new additions are compatible with 4K UHD broadcast cameras that have 2/3-inch sensors. Flanking the existing UHDxs series of 4K portable broadcast lenses that deliver excellent optical performance, these three lenses usher in the newly launched UHDgc series that will broaden 4K UHD shooting options. These new lenses provide 4K UHD imaging quality at a price point that is more accessible to the majority of the broadcast market. Additionally, the new lenses provide impressive UHD optical performance while maintaining a compact and lightweight design to meet a wide range of needs for video productions that include documentaries, sports, events and news coverage.

Recently RMIT University undertook a significant renovation of its Melbourne city faculty specifically to open their campus up by redoing its Swanston Street facade and substantially renovating seven floors across four buildings. This huge undertaking was known as the New Academic Street, or NAS, Project. The existing buildings were where RMIT had its TV studios, originally built in the 1960s, much used and loved but long overdue for an overhaul. The NAS project provided an opportunity for RMIT to replace the old TV Studios with world class, cutting edge facilities to support both current and future trends in media production as well as RMITs research requirements in the digital media realm. To help them with the design and build of the complete project they turned to Videocraft. Before the project could start the university put out a tender for the design, construction and integration of four control rooms (two of which were to be UHD), five studio spaces and a virtual and augmented reality system. The tender also specified some unique components including a fully distributed routing system, UHD record and replay solution and the ability to quickly move any studio to any control room, or multiple control rooms. Technical Services Manager School of Media & Communication College of Design & Social Context at RMIT University David Beesley explained, “We required world class facilities with a futureproof and flexible infrastructure - a big ask - and we required a company who could work with us to enhance our vision of what these facilities would look like and how they could support our specific pedagogical needs. In conjunction with other industry leaders and after extensive research and consultation, RMIT came up with a base design which was subsequently put out to tender. Videocraft's winning point of difference was their ability to add significant value to our vision and turn it into a functioning reality.” Videocraft worked with RMIT end users to finesse the design and ultimately supplied and installed the kit for four TV studios and control rooms, a master control room (MCR), RMIT’s 'Black Box' research studio and multiple fibre-linked OB points throughout the NAS Precinct. [gallery ids="https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5135.jpg.jpeg|Head of ABC News speaking at the RMIT NAS Project opening,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5130.jpg.jpeg|James Taylor in one of the four control rooms designed and installed by Videocraft,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5136.JPG-e1522805026155.jpeg|,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5131.jpg.jpeg|James and Jeanette Taylor at the Opening of the RMIT NAS Project,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5132.jpg.jpeg|Panasonic 4K UHD Studio Cameras,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5129.jpg.jpeg|Checking out the studios on RMIT's Opening night for the NAS Project,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5133.JPG-e1522804985885.jpeg|Panasonic 4K UHD Studio Cameras,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5126.JPG-e1522804965720.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5125.JPG-e1522804937190.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5128.JPG-e1522804906693.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios,https://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_5127.JPG-e1522804881286.jpeg|Installation by Videocraft at RMIT TV Studios"]   Videocraft Head of Engineering and Projects Nick Maclean added, “We also designed a Central Apparatus Room for the 4 control rooms and 5 studios, plus supporting spaces such as green rooms, makeup rooms and production offices. Given that this was not a greenfield site, but a retro fit of an existing building, there were considerable constraints with the spaces, but with clever design we were able to come up with a solution that met the brief.” As part of the scope required a ‘distributed’ router Videocraft decided to install a large Riedel Mediornet system as, based on a 10Gig backbone, the system can handle up to 384x384 3G HD signals. For a distributed audio network they implemented a Dante audio network and ensured that all the audio mixers, stage boxes and tie lines were IP connected over a 10GigE IP network with a Cisco Nexus backbone. Videocraft also installed IP KVM systems, IP talkback using Riedel Smart Panels, and IP wireless comms using the new Riedel Bolero AES67 wireless keypanels. To tie all these systems together they used Lawo Virtual Studio Manager, a control solution that removes all the complicated backend components and presents a unified interface for operators. Beesley continued, Videocraft also installed the first UHD EVS system in Australia, which included IP Director and XFile for file-based ingest and delivery of both HD and UHD studio content. Critically they also supplied and installed kit for our temporary TV studios, constructed for the duration of the major build, to ensure business continuity. It really was a first class job and they met our every requirement.” Other kit supplied and installed by Videocraft included Panasonic 4K UHD camera chains, Sony vision mixers, a Zero Density 'Reality' virtual set and MoSys camera tracking, Ross Expression graphics, Yamaha audio desks and ARRI lighting. Beesley continued, “Videocraft took charge of face to face meetings, design workshops, numerous stakeholder and site meetings, design revision, installation, commissioning and testing. Their approach was professional and flawless.” Now complete the new facilities are used for teaching, including live broadcasts, research and more. As a result RMIT students can now learn on the same tools they will encounter in the field to which Beesley added, “These are the first purpose built UHD studios in Australia. They are at the forefront of technology for anybody, but for a teaching facility they are undoubtedly the number one studios in Australia. They are flexible and their unique infrastructure ensures that they'll be fit for purpose well into the future.” David Beesley, clearly incredibly pleased and incredibly proud of RMIT’s new TV and production facilities felt compelled to highlight the real shining lights of the project concluding, “There are many wow factors with the new facilities with their flexibility, extensive use of fibre, VSM, and 4K UHD capabilities but the real standout is the Zero Density Reality system. Videocraft installed a two-camera system with Star Tracker motion tracking which can render full virtual sets and augmented reality elements in realtime with unbelievable realism. The system uses the Unreal Engine for 3D design and rendering and the results are simply stunning. It’s the most realistic virtual system we have ever seen. I cannot speak highly enough about what Videocraft did for RMIT during this project. They were amazing to work with, incredibly patient, understood our unique requirements and worked with us to create something that is truly great, and the envy of many.”

AJA Video Systems released FS-HDR, a versatile 1RU, rack-mount universal converter/frame synchronizer for real time HDR transforms as well as 4K/HD up, down, cross-conversion. FS-HDR delivers breakthrough real time High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) conversion and processing capabilities for 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD HDR workflows.

AJA Video Systems announced the new Io 4K Plus capture and output device with support for Thunderbolt™ 3. Io 4K Plus offers the latest 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 I/O connectivity, advanced audio features and 4K/UltraHD support up to 50p/60p frame rates. Io 4K Plus is the next generation of AJA’s capture and output hardware devices and AJA’s first Thunderbolt 3 product. Offering a range of connectivity, including 12G/6G/3G/1.5G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 I/O, Io 4K Plus is compatible with the latest 4K/UltraHD devices. Using AJA’s proven drivers and application plug-ins for macOS® or PC, Io 4K Plus integrates with standard creative tools such as Adobe® Premiere® Pro, Apple® FCP X and Avid® Media Composer®. AJA’s proven conversion technology facilitates real time, high quality scaling of 4K and UltraHD to HD for monitoring and output. Io 4K Plus also includes an additional Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy chaining flexibility. Thunderbolt 3’s broad bandwidth allows Io 4K Plus to support 4K/UltraHD and HD large raster, high frame rate, deep color and HDR projects to Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C equipped workstations or laptops. “Tight deadlines and technology shifts have introduced a new layer of complexity to post-production workflows. Io 4K Plus with Thunderbolt 3 support reduces that complexity by moving high resolution, high frame rate files through a single cable with ease,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems.Io 4K Plus feature highlights include:

• Thunderbolt 3
• Backwards compatibility with existing Thunderbolt hosts
• 12G/6G/3G/1.5G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 I/O for 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD and SD with HFR support up to 60p at 4:2:2
• Real time 4K/UltraHD to 2K/HD down-conversion
• 8-, 10- and 12-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 over 12G-SDI or HDMI 2.0 workflow support
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports allow easy daisy-chaining of up to six Thunderbolt devices
• 16-Channel embedded audio on SDI; 8-Channel embedded audio on HDMI; 8-Channel analog audio via XLR breakout
• Downstream keyer
• Standard 12v 4-pin XLR for AC or battery power
• Compatibility with creative applications including Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple FCP X, Avid Media Composer; FilmLight products; AJA Control Room and more
• Three year international warranty

Ki Pro Ultra Plus is a multi-channel recorder offering 2, 3 or 4-Channel simultaneous HD recording up to 1080 50/60p, or in single channel mode, 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD recording and playback, with full HDMI 2.0 input and output (up to 12-bit capture and output). Housed in a 2RU half rack or mount 2 side-by side for 8 channels of recording, it offers extensive I/O flexibility and a range of connectivity options from 3G-SDI to HDMI 2.0 and fiber. Ki Pro Ultra Plus captures pristine 4K/UltraHD and HD video to standard production codecs including Apple® ProRes and Avid® DNxHD MXF. Channels can be displayed on Ki Pro Ultra Plus’ LCD screen as a quad-split during capture for confidence monitoring, which can also be output over HDMI, SDI, fiber and the device’s web-based UI. The new v2.0 firmware update enables the latest HDR formats with HLG and HDR10 playback, and adds support for recording and playing ProRes 4444 XQ up to 2K60p, among several other feature enhancements. “The new v2.0 firmware for Ki Pro Ultra Plus is an extension of our commitment to providing customers with updates that keep pace with the latest workflows. With this update, users can quickly and easily play back HDR10 and HLG material for viewing on HDMI 2.0 compatible displays, record/playback ProRes 4444 XQ and much more,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. Pricing and Availability Ki Pro Ultra Plus v2.0 firmware will be available next month as a free download from AJA’s website. Ki Pro Ultra Plus is now available from the Videocraft online store

The Canon DP-V2411 4K HDR1 Reference Display, a 24-inch display that features stable high luminance and 12G-SDI terminals, ideal for use on-set in broadcasting vans, and in-studio needs.

Firstly, this is not an Avid press release! AvidConnect (the annual Avid Customer Association event) is in its fourth year, and while it is a way for Avid to show off some of their new offerings and partnerships, there has always been some really interesting discussions about the industry we work in, and where we are headed. This year was no exception, and I have put together some of my thoughts on what I have seen over the weekend, and how I see this affecting our future. Here are three key points I have taken from AvidConnect2017, feel free to comment!

In the same way that the original Atomos Shogun helped fast track the transition from HD to 4K filmmaking, Atomos are intent on delivering 4K HDR to everyone with the launch of the Shogun Flame and Ninja Flame. The Atomos Flame Series delivers the world’s most advanced 7” field monitor, accurately displaying 10 stops of the luminance detail of Log with 10 bit HDR Post Production color accuracy, for the first time in a field monitor. The AtomHDR engine not only resolves HDR brightness detail (dynamic range), with 10-bit color accuracy it also resolves 64 times more color information than traditional 8-bit panels. For Rec709 standard dynamic range scenes, the 1500nits brightness aids with outdoor shooting as does the upgraded continuous power management system that will keep you shooting longer in the field. Of course you also get the professional 4K/HD ProRes/DNxHR Recording, Playback and Editing that has made Atomos famous. Shogun Flame and Ninja Flame are available for sale in quantity week of March 28th, from the authorized Atomos reseller network. “HDR is simply amazing, it’s the next revolution for filmmaking, once again Atomos are first with the technical solution to make it quicker, easier and more affordable for filmmakers” said Atomos CEO and co-founder Jeromy Young, “Anyone that sees HDR, from content creators to consumers are immediately sold, - more life like shots and real world detail. Our job is to open up HDR to all filmmakers by removing the technical and affordability hurdles that might slow its progress.” The Flame series of monitor-recorders are equipped with the AtomHDR engine, utilising the power of the 1500nit panel in tandem with Atomos’ patent pending image processing to resolve the brightness detail of Log camera signals with the color accuracy of 10 bit HDR images mastered in post production. This means that the usual complications of exposing Log signals on a washed out image are eliminated – with AtomHDR you simply frame, expose, focus and shoot. All major camera makers log formats are supported - Sony, Canon, Panansonic, Arri, Red and JVC. The monitor itself is a calibrated 7” 1920x1200 325ppi IPS with upgraded 10-bit color accuracy, resolving 1.07 billion colors compared to the 16.7 million colors of traditional 8-bit panels. This all but eliminates the color branding seen on traditional panels and in tandem with AtomHDR lets you see images as you would with your own eyes. For existing SDR, Rec709 delivery or scenes that do not have the wide brightness variation required for HDR shooting, switch to traditional video mode (Rec709) and activate a Brightness slider that lets you take advantage of the impressive “Daylight Viewable” 1500nits of brightness emanating from the Flame units. This adds huge versatility for the Flame series – if you have scenes that call for HDR, activate the AtomHDR mode. If you don’t, switch to High Bright mode for outdoor monitoring hood free. Shogun and Ninja Flame have a rugged built in armour ensuring it is battle-ready for the field and also now inherits the Atomos patented continuous power system pioneered on our HD range. The hot-swappable dual battery system automatically swaps to the second battery when power is low, allowing hot swapping to new fresh batteries. This coupled with our new improved battery charger which is 3 times faster means that power is always taken care of. The addition of AtomHDR, the 1500nit brightness, 10-bit colour accuracy and Continuous power genuinely positions the Flame Series as the best 7” Field Monitors in the world, but as we know with Atomos they are much more than monitors alone, featuring advanced recording, playback and editing capability as well. Both units record 4K/HD direct from the sensor to 10-bit 4:2:2 Apple ProRes or AVID DNxHR/DNxHD onto affordable yet reliable SSD’s from the world’s leading media brands. They also feature on the fly 3:2 and 2:2 pulldown removal and advanced recording features such as Timelapse & Pre-roll. Playback with controls is possible on screen or out to larger monitors and you can even use the built-in focus, framing and exposure tools to judge the shot and then start tagging to make decision making in Post faster and easier.

• With a Dynamic range to match that of a 10-bit camera LOG footage, AtomHDR monitors deliver the detail in highlights and shadows usually clipped on traditional monitors.
• A highly advanced field monitor even in non-HDR scenarios with 1500nits brightness for outdoor shooting, native full HD resolution and optional calibration to ensure natural LCD colour drift can be corrected over time.
• Record direct from the sensor in pristine 4K UHD (up to 30p) or record high frame rate HD (up to 120p)
• long with recording the high pixel density of 4K, the Ninja and Shogun Flame also record higher resolution 10-bit colour information and more precise yet efficient 4:2:2 colour encoding.
• Recording to Apple ProRes and AVID DNxHR visually lossless edit-ready codecs ensure you capture full individual frames like film, providing more flexibility and creativity in post. Can be delivered to any standard – never worry about having your footage technically rejected due to the format again.
• Ready for real-word conditions with built-in armour protection, dual battery hot-swappable continuous power system to ensure you always have power and a raft of included accessories including a new fast charger and snap-fast sun hood.
• Our patented hot-swappable dual battery system for continuous power is backed up with the included power accessories (2 x 4-cell batteries, D-Tap adaptor and blazingly fast battery charger)
• An arsenal of creative weapons including focus and exposure tools, 3D Custom Looks, Waveforms (LUMA and RGB) and Vector Scopes ensure you set the shot up perfectly every time.
• XLR audio via breakout cables for Shogun Flame or 3.5mm line level input with audio delay, level adjustment and dedicated audio meters with channel selection for Ninja Flame.
• We support affordable, readily available SSDs from the world’s most trusted media brands.

Over many years, we have been using the Sony PDWF800 as our ‘go-to’ camera for almost all things that needed a 2/3” ENG camera. The F800 has been a real workhorse for our clients, but over time we have been wanting a camera that can do everything that the F800 can, but with less weight, lower power consumption, and faster ingest for fast turnaround TV workflow.

The system was designed by Videocraft’s engineering team and built onsite across 3 key areas: Videocraft’s Mobile Production Centre was configured as the Camera Control Unit production space for four CCU positions. Alongside was a site shed containing the system backbone including the extensive EVS and Avid ISIS 7000 systems. The external master control room was built in the back dock of the QCU Arena, utilising the latest in IP technology to minimise connectivity between these locations.

While everyone has their own take on the show depending on what interests them, here is what our very own James Taylor (@VideocraftJames) took from NAB this year. 4K is everywhere now. This was absolutely the case, with pretty much every company having 4K logos on their gear. Obviously 4K has been around for a while now in digital cinema production, but is now a real option to now produce 4K for live television. I may be jaded and cynical, but walking between all of the stands I felt that 4K on big TV’s did not feel as ‘special’ as maybe I would have hoped. But with an exception: the new hope is not more pixels, but High Dynamic Range (HDR), also defined as a new standard, BT.2020.

Sony’s next generation of HDC series camera technology provides the ability to use the high magnification wide zoom range lenses currently employed by HD 2/3-inch systems while maintaining an adequate depth of field to properly show all of the action in live event broadcasting. The new HDC-4300 is the world’s first camera to use three 2/3-inch 4K image sensors¹. It supports the same B4-mount lenses as well as the same control surfaces as Sony’s industry leading HDC-2000 series cameras. The existing HDLA-1500 series, control and shading systems, viewfinders and master set-up units are all interchangeable between the HD and 4K systems. Directors and operators can keep their approach to live events — including camera angles, zoom ranges and iris settings – while using familiar camera technology.

• HD cut-outs – two full HD images to be cut out from the 4K picture in real-time including a selectable zoom and perspective mode.
• Many of the Picture adjustment functions of HDC Series cameras are supported by the HDC-4300 system
• Dynamic focus (4K focus-assist function) – a focus point can be displayed on the viewfinder with a marker in 4K mode for easy focusing.
• Auto lens aberration compensation 2 (ALAC2) function
• Color reproduction adjustment functions
  • Gamma table selection
  • User gamma function
  • Natural skin-tone detail function
  • Knee saturation function
  • Low-key saturation function

by Michael Curwood